Please note: this is an archived news article release
This article was published on Tuesday, 26 January, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.
Posted on Tuesday 26th of January, 2016,
The winners of the 2016 Australia Day awards were announced at ceremonies across Greater Shepparton today.
Christine McKenzie was announced as the overall Greater Shepparton Citizen of the Year with Ella Westblade being named as Greater Shepparton Young Citizen of the Year and Murchison Tomato Festa winning Greater Shepparton Community Event of the Year.
Greater Shepparton Mayor Dinny Adem congratulated all award recipients. “All award winners have made significant contributions to their communities and to Greater Shepparton,” Cr Adem said.
"It is fantastic to see people getting involved in organisations in their local communities and helping to make a difference and thank you to the people who took the time to submit a nomination to recognise their fellow citizens.”
Awards were presented in Arcadia, Shepparton, Dookie Mooroopna, Murchison, Tatura and Toolamba and the Greater Shepparton Citizen, Young Citizen and Community Event of the Year were chosen from these regional winners.
Australia Day Award Winners
Arcadia
Citizen of the Year Ray McManus
Dookie
Young Citizen of the Year Emily Shields
Citizen of the Year John Sims
Community Event of the Year Dookie A&P Show
Mooroopna
Citizen of the Year George Vearing
Young Citizen of the Year Maddie Steiszkal
Murchison
Citizen of the Year Brian Burke
Junior Sports Award Grace Blackley
Community Event of the Year Murchison Tomato Festa
Tatura
Senior Citizen of the Year Ian Grant
Young Citizen of the Year Maoinin Dooley-Heath
Toolamba
Citizen of the Year Christine McKenzie
Young Citizen of the Year Matthew Smith
Community Event of the Year Toolamba Halloween
Toolamba Community Service Award Clement Family – Toolamba School bus
Shepparton
Community Event of the Year Hands4Nepal
Citizen of the Year Wendy Shanks
Young Citizen of the Year Ella Westblade
Senior Citizen of the Year Maurie Rowlands
Sports Award Steve Fairless
More News from Greater Shepparton
Thursday 19th of February,
Upcoming night works – Midland Highway and Toolamba Road
Greater Shepparton City Council wishes to advise residents and motorists of changed traffic conditions and reduced speed limits in Mooroopna, due to upcoming night works. Read more
Wednesday 18th of February,
Look out for the green compostable bags coming to your door
Greater Shepparton City Council will once again be distributing green compostable bags across the municipality throughout February and March 2026. Read more
Wednesday 18th of February,
Public toilet replacement – Riverbank Garden, Murchison
Greater Shepparton City Council is pleased to advise that the existing public toilet at Riverbank Gardens, Murchison will be renewed under the Public Toilet Replacement Program. Read more
Wednesday 18th of February,
Shepparton Animal Shelter joins Mission Adoptable
Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to announce the Shepparton Animal Shelter is joining forces with animal shelters across Victoria for a special pet adoption event: Mission Adoptable. Read more
Tuesday 17th of February,
Free workshop to help locals start their small business journey
Greater Shepparton City Council is inviting aspiring business owners to take the first step at a free Starting a Small Business Workshop at the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on Tuesday 17 March from 6pm to 9pm. Read more
Tuesday 17th of February,
Save the date! Converge on the Goulburn 2026 is on its way
Greater Shepparton City Council invites community members to save the date and get ready for Converge on the Goulburn 2026. This year, the much-loved event will feature a one-day event program on Saturday 21 March from 2pm to 9pm at Victoria Park Lake… Read more
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More Events in Greater Shepparton
Saturday 21st of February,
Pedal Boats
Slow down and enjoy the moment. Read more
Wednesday 25th of February,
Author Talk at Shepparton Library - Peter Norris
Join Peter Norris as he talks about his book The Bank Robber's Boy. Read more
Sunday 22nd of February,
Body and Soul Holistic and Psychic Expo
The Holistic & Psychic Expo will feature psychics palmists astrologers and tarot readers as well as alternative health and wellbeing practitioners and associated products and services. Read more
Thursday 26th of February,
Twilight Tennis - Goulburn Valley Young Professionals
Join the Goulburn Valley Young Professionals for a casual Twilight Tennis Social at the Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club on Thursday 26 February from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM 🎾 Read more
Friday 20th of February,
Puff Walk
Let’s walk and talk. Read more
Friday 27th of February, – to Saturday 28th of February,
Summer City Market 2026
Enjoy two vibrant days of shopping, summer sales, market stalls, entertainment and family fun at the Maude Street precinct in Shepparton CBD. Read more
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